Sheriff discloses nearly $100,000 in donations to YWCA and other charities

Sheriff Bill Gore solicited almost $100,000 from donors and special interests in recent years for his favorite causes.

According to public filings, Gore sought donations for the YWCA, Alzheimer’s San Diego and the California State Sheriffs’ Association totaling $95,500 in the past five years.

The contributions are known as behested payments, donations made to a charitable, educational or governmental programs at the request of public officials. The donations are legal and contributions of $5,000 or more must be disclosed.

In recent weeks, The San Diego Union-Tribune has been reviewing behested payment reports filed by locally elected officials. Critics worry that special interests may curry favor with officials by donating money to pet causes.

Gore reported a $10,000 donation from philanthropist Darlene Shiley to the YWCA, which helps victims of domestic violence, in 2015. He also reported $36,000 in contributions to Alzheimer’s San Diego Courage & Hope dinner in 2012 and $49,500 for the California State Sheriffs’ Association.

Donors included the San Diego Chargers, Scripps Health, Verizon Wireless and the Sycuan, Viejas and Barona tribes.

The sheriff said he chooses organizations to support carefully.

“My priority as the sheriff of San Diego is to improve public safety for everyone in the county and I endorse and support well-established organizations whose actions are in line with the values and mission of the Sheriff's Department as well as the public good,” he said.

The Union-Tribune previously reported on solicitation disclosures from members of the state Legislature, the San Diego mayor and council, the Board of Supervisors and the district attorney. County Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister has not reported any behested payments.

Correction

This article has been amended from its original posting, which incorrectly identified the YWCA.

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